A day at Zeinab Khatoun

Entrance to Zeinab Khatoun showing the only Mashrabeyya on the exterior facade.

Ramadan is never complete without breaking your fast in an oriental place. A place where it has the vibe and scent of the old Islamic Cairo. Surrounded by Mousques, monumental places, oriental jewelry stores, and Shisha (hookah for Americans), I broke my fast with my friends in Zeinab Khatoun's house.

Manzil (house of) Zeinab Khatoun is one of the most remarkable houses left nowadays. Named after its last owner, as was the custom for Islamic houses in those days, it occupies a distinguished location at the back of Al-Azhar Mosque in "Atfet El-Azhary" (Azhary alley) in Darb Al-Ahmar district, once the finest and richest neighborhood of Islamic Cairo. Also found opposite the house is a well-known monument, Al-Ayni Mosque and at nearby distance, two other important houses, Bait El-Harrawi and Bait Sitt Wasila. Which makes it a must-visit place for toursits.